KQED's The California Report

The Coast Guard says a section of the pipeline that ruptured off the coast of Orange County moved more than a hundred feet along the ocean floor. It’s still unclear what caused the rupture, as authorities have not been able to confirm reports that it may have been caused by a ship’s anchor.Southern California Congressman Mike Levin is renewing a call to pass his legislation, that would ban new offshore drilling off the coast of Southern California. He says the massive oil spill in Orange County is further evidence of the importance of the bill.Guest: Congressman Mike Levin, Representative for California's 49th DistrictGovernor Gavin Newsom was at a Fresno elementary school on Tuesday to sign historic education bills into law. One will expand free access to early Pre-K and fund a college savings account for low-income students. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio In a split decision, a three judge panel on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that California’s ban on private prisons and detention centers is unconstitutional. A private prison firm and the Trump administration had sued to stop the 2019 ban from taking effect. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQEDWhy did some homes in the Northern California town of Paradise survive the 2018 Camp Fire while so many others did not? New research shows that simple actions such as creating defensible space around homes might have been a big factor. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQEDTesla’s annual shareholder meeting is Thursday and it comes days after a jury ordered the carmaker to pay $137 million to a Black worker, who accused the company of ignoring racist abuse. The former employee, who worked at Tesla’s Fremont plant from 2015 to 2016, said he was called racist names and employees drew swastikas and left racist graffiti around the plant. Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are growing questions about why the emergency response wasn’t faster to a massive oil spill in Orange County over the weekend. And an investigation into the pipeline’s rupture is also underway.The oil spill is also threatening to destroy ecologically sensitive marsh areas in Southern California. Wetlands in Huntington Beach, which have been carefully restored and maintained since the 1990s, are now inundated with oil, and they're critical for coastal life.Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCCGovernor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that aims to address racial health disparities for new moms of color and their babies. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQEDIn response to an investigation by California public radio stations into the health risks from wildfire smoke, state and federal lawmakers plan to introduce legislation and hold at least one hearing on the topic.Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crews are working to contain a massive oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach. The oil spill has closed many beaches in the area, and environmental groups are working frantically to save wildlife that has been impacted by the spill.In surveys, half of Californians say they have to wait too long to see a mental health provider when they need one. A new bill currently on the governor’s desk would require health insurers to reduce those wait times to no more than 10 business days. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED California’s statewide eviction moratorium has expired. And now many tenants are looking for rent relief and legal guidance. Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California should see big changes in police practices and an increase in transparency and accountability for officer misconduct because of a set of bills signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The laws include an expansion of police transparency, allowing public access to cases involving racial discrimination, unlawful arrests and excessive force by officers.Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQEDThis week, The California Report is losing a key member of our family, our team. Co-host Lily Jamali is moving onto exciting new challenges outside of KQED. Lily came to The California Report as co-host and reporter in mid-2018, and it’s overwhelming what she’s been able to accomplish these last three years.Reporter: Angela CorralThe state’s eviction moratorium has expired. But applying for rent relief can still put off an eviction,at least for now. Reporter: Erika Kelly, KQED A prominent California lawyer who advised President Donald Trump on overturning election results is facing calls to be investigated -- and possibly disbarred. Chapman University Law School Professor John Eastman was forced to resign after speaking at the rally that preceded the insurrection on January 6. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of our continuing investigation, “Dangerous Air,” NPR's California Newsroom found out how some Californians are coping with all the smoke created by wildfires in the state, and why the smoke hits some parts of California harder than others. Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRWWith so much social media inundated with vaccine misinformation, YouTube has announced it’s cracking down on it, again. The company said it would remove videos claiming that vaccines do not reduce rates of transmission or contraction of disease, and content that includes misinformation on the makeup of the vaccines. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQEDThe L.A. City Council was supposed to vote on a sweeping municipal ordinance Wednesday that would require people to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before entering many indoor public spaces. But the council had to delay action after one councilmember withheld his vote.Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of NPR's California Newsroom investigation, Dirty Air, we traveled to rural Northern California. There's been a shocking increase in wildfire smoke, and unhealthy air recently in California, and it can be particularly damaging for children.Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQEDThe KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire continue to grow as they scorch parts of Sequoia National Park. Thousands of firefighters are battling challenging conditions, including steep and rugged terrain.During a contentious meeting, the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for eligible students and staff. The plan calls for younger students to be vaccinated as well, once the vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An analysis by NPR’s California Newsroom of more than ten years of data found a tremendous spike in the amount of smoke we are breathing, from San Diego to the Oregon border, with disturbing health outcomes. In some parts of rural Northern California, people are living with unhealthy air months at a time.Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED From now on, California voters will get a ballot in the mail, by default, in all future elections. It’s the result of a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED A federal judge is ordering all state prison guards and other staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to enter any prison facility.Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PG&E is facing manslaughter and other charges after its equipment started the 2020 Zogg Fire that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes. On Friday, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett announced 31 charges against the utility, saying it failed to perform its legal duties.Californians with the most basic homeowners insurance policies have long complained that when disasters strike, they just don't have enough coverage to pay for all of their expenses. But change is coming .Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportCalifornia’s groundbreaking task force on reparations for Black Californians wrapped up its latest meeting on Friday. The group is working on drafting a reparations proposal. Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS COVID-19 cases among young people were increasing last month as students started the school year. Cases have since declined, but even small COVID outbreaks at schools in the Central Valley are having major impacts on families in rural communities.Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Breathing in too much ozone gas is harmful for our health. Now researchers say the health risk is even higher for older Californians who live in areas with elevated ozone pollution. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that it’s received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and been endorsed by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel, state health officials say they’re ready to give COVID-19 booster shots to anyone who’s eligible. Before it’s widely distributed, the efficacy of a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine still needs to be reviewed by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Movie fans will soon be able to enjoy a new museum in Los Angeles that is aimed specifically for them. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opens on Septemeber 30, and will provide guests with a rich, visual history of the filmmaking industry.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportDuring a visit to the site of KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $15 billion climate package. But how will the money be spent?Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQEDThe KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire are both burning in Sequoia National Park. Fire crews are trying to protect the iconic trees there and so far, have been fairly successful.Reporter: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Caldor Fire has destroyed more than a thousand buildings and continues to burn, communities around South Lake Tahoe mostly escaped the fire's destruction -- despite lying square in its path. That's thanks to firefighters, but also years of work preparing the forest.Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 701. It’s a bill that requires warehouse operators to disclose more about the quotas and algorithms they use to squeeze more productivity out of workers, possibly creating more dangerous workplaces.Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQEDAfter a month and a half-long preliminary hearing, Paul and Ruben Flores will stand trial for crimes related to the disappearance and murder of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student Kristin Smart, who went missing in 1996. Smart was never found and was declared legally dead in 2002. Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices